DEWALT and August Robotics Launch DALE Fleet-Capable Downward Drilling Robot

DEWALT, a Stanley Black & Decker brand, has announced the commercial launch of DALE, the world's first fleet-capable downward drilling robot designed to accelerate data center and infrastructure construction projects.

Developed in collaboration with global mobile robotics company August Robotics, DALE transforms high-volume concrete drilling workflows by improving speed, precision, safety, and operational efficiency on modern jobsites.

Following a year-long pilot program with one of the world's leading technology companies, the autonomous robotic system demonstrated its ability to accelerate construction schedules, reduce costs, and improve accuracy across large-scale data center projects.

Bill Beck, President of Tools & Outdoor at Stanley Black & Decker, stated:

"The downward drilling robot's year-long pilot with one of the world's most influential technology leaders powerfully demonstrated its ability to accelerate schedules, reduce costs, enhance precision, and elevate safety in downward drilling applications. Now, we're advancing to the next phase: delivering this breakthrough technology to a broader market and empowering customers to achieve unparalleled speed, efficiency, and results on their most demanding projects."

During pilot operations, DALE drilled up to 10 times faster than traditional methods, reduced project timelines by a combined 190 weeks across 26 data center construction phases, and achieved 99.97% accuracy while completing more than 230,000 holes.

The autonomous robot features fast-swap batteries, remote monitoring, automatic dust extraction, and AI-enhanced quality assurance to support continuous drilling operations. DALE enables precision drilling for server rack supports and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) installations while keeping jobsites clean and ready for follow-on work.

Powered by August Robotics' autonomous fleet-capable platform, DALE is now commercially available and expands DEWALT's construction technology ecosystem. The launch highlights the growing role of robotics in accelerating hyperscale data center construction while improving productivity and safety.